Robert Downes Returns to Chalfonte Theatre for Fall "Stories & Songs" Performance

Traverse City author, singer-songwriter, and storyteller returns to Elk Rapids for an encore performance following an enthusiastically received spring debut.

ELK RAPIDS, Mich. — The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre presents Robert Downes and his multimedia show Stories & Songs on Thursday, November 19, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the show starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Cinema.

Downes first brought Stories & Songs to Chalfonte Theatre on June 4, 2026, where the show drew an enthusiastic audience and left a strong impression on the community. He returns to Elk Rapids this fall by popular demand.

"That June show was one of those rare nights that managed to be both educational and enchanting all at once," said Aaron Timlin, President of the Chalfonte Foundation, which owns and operates the Chalfonte Theatre. "We knew immediately we wanted to bring Robert back for our audiences this fall."

Blending live music, storytelling, photography, and projected visuals, Stories & Songs combines theatrical presentation with original acoustic ballads and narratives drawn from Downes's books and travels around the world. Downes will again be joined by percussionist Mark Cantrell for the performance.

"I think of the show as a theatrical cabaret experience paired with compelling stories and visuals," Downes has said of the production. "My songs are all ballads, meaning they tell stories as well, stories that resonate deeply with audiences."

About Robert Downes

Downes's presentation features stories and songs inspired by subjects ranging from Native American history and folklore to world travel, literature, wilderness, and the human experience.

A world traveler, transcontinental cyclist, journalist, and musician, Downes is the author of nine books with strong regional and historical themes, including his acclaimed historical fiction trilogy The Wolf and The Willow, The Sun Dog, and Windigo Moon.

"Elk Rapids gave me one of the warmest receptions I've had with this show," said Downes. "I'm glad to be coming back to a community that has embraced Stories & Songs the way this one has."

Event Details

What: Robert Downes, with percussionist Mark Cantrell — Stories & Songs multimedia show

Where: Elk Rapids Cinema, home of Chalfonte Theatre's The Platform

When: Thursday, November 19, 2026 — doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $10 general admission; children 12 and under free

About the Chalfonte Foundation

The Chalfonte Foundation is a Michigan nonprofit that owns and operates the Chalfonte Theatre in Elk Rapids — home to The Platform live performance series, Elk Rapids Cinema, and Village Radio. The Foundation brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to the region in an intimate setting while supporting the historic preservation of the theatre for generations to come.

The performance is presented as part of The Platform, a live performance series curated by the nonprofit Chalfonte Foundation, which brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to Elk Rapids in an intimate setting.